It’s My Birthday: 5 Scriptures for Life Focus

Do you enjoy celebrating birthdays? How do you handle getting older? And is there a way to celebrate another year along with a life focus?

Today, December 1st, is my birthday.

And, of course, my twin sister, Sharon, made an appearance in the world this same day a few minutes after me.

So let’s reflect on scriptures that help us celebrate birthdays with life focus.

(1.) A Heart Completely God’s: Life Focus

“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NASB, 1995 edition)

My life verse since college, I wanted to start here. Because accepting Christ into my heart as Savior at sixteen made me a child of the Most High God. And I desire to stay focused on giving my heart completely to Him. 

This isn’t a half-hearted devotion to the Lord as secondary in my life. No, I make Him number one with my highest devotion and attention. 

Reflection: Is our heart divided between God and the world or completely His?

Prayer: Lord, I continue to welcome You into my heart to reign supremely. Help my heart stay undivided and completely Yours. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lord, I continue to welcome You into my heart to reign supremely. Help my heart stay undivided and completely Yours. In Jesus’ name. Amen. #birthday Share on X

(2.) Celebrating Who I Am: Body, Soul, Spirit

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14-15 (ESV)

While I’m growing older, I don’t want the alternative to celebrating another birthday. So I’m learning to embrace how wonderfully the Lord formed me in the beginning and keep praising Him for ALL the intricate details of my life—who I am in Christ.

Honestly, I’ve done my share of complaining over the years about my body, weaknesses, flaws, and playing the comparison game. How sad this must make the Lord’s heart. 

In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers described it this way: “To complain about our inabilities is an insult to our Creator.” 

Reflection: Do we speak negatively about ourselves in how the Lord created us? 

Prayer: God, help me to praise You for the special ways You created me—on purpose and for Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(3.) Good Works God Prepared: Life Focus

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Because I am God’s handiwork, He not only created me for good works, but prepared them ahead of time. 

These good works have nothing to do with salvation. Instead they come after salvation for the Christian journey. They encompass EVERYTHING surrounding me: family, friends, job, church, community, passions, spiritual gifts, ministry and spreading the gospel. 

Reflection: Are we actively seeking God for His will and ways in our life and not our own agenda?

Prayer: Father, give me the strength to lay down my agenda and pick up Your will. Help me to continually seek the good works You prepared for me and my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(4.) Walking in God

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.” Colossians 2:6 (ESV)

The NIV translation notes, “continue to live your lives in him.” 

Salvation never has a period (.) after it. Life in Christ and as God’s child continues throughout my entire earthly life, from my first spiritual birthday until my final earthly birthday. 

I desire to walk daily with the Lord, step by step, moment by moment; breathing in His grace and breathing out His praise. And walking in God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, repenting quickly and authentically.

I desire to walk daily with the Lord, step by step, moment by moment; breathing in His grace and breathing out His praise. And walking in God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, repenting quickly and authentically. Share on X

Reflection: Are we walking with the Lord each day and moment? Or do we leave Him at home or in the church parking lot?

Prayer: Lord, let my walk match my talk. Since I confess You as my Lord, help me to walk in You everywhere I go and in everything I do each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(5.) Living Bloodstained: Life Focus

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

One of the most important aspects of true Christianity is living the crucified life. So I am willing to carry my cross, let Christ live in me and through me. 

And Christ suffered greatly in my place to make me bloodstained. The bloodstained life is the road to holiness—becoming more like Jesus. 

Christ suffered greatly in my place to make me bloodstained. The bloodstained life is the road to holiness—becoming more like Jesus. #birthday Share on X

Reflection: Are we living bloodstained, allowing Christ to rise up in our lives? Does our life reflect holiness or the flesh?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the blood that covers my sin. Help me to live the crucified life in Jesus, bloodstained and holy for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Life Focus

Which scripture or area of focus speaks to you?

Featured photos from our YouTube Channel, Friday’s Forever.

Also see, Someone Worth Finding: A Father Who Found Me.

Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:

Legacy Linkup/Inspire Me Monday/Tell His Story/Recharge Wednesday/Let’s Have Coffee/Tune in Thursday/Embracing the Unexpected (Grace & Truth).

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© 2022 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved